A variety of benefits are available to student members of the American Society of Mammalogists. These include the following:
FELLOWSHIPS IN MAMMALOGY
Applications are solicited for 2 graduate fellowships in mammalogy for 2008–2009. The fellowships are intended to promote a professional career in mammalogy by allowing the recipients greater freedom to pursue research, but are not grants in support of specific research projects. These fellowships are the premier awards given to graduate student members of ASM, and are awarded in recognition of both current accomplishments and future potential. Careers of applicants should have progressed sufficiently to clearly demonstrate the potential for productive roles in professional mammalogy. Awards do not preclude support from other sources.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAMMALOGISTS FELLOWSHIP IN MAMMALOGY
The Board of Directors of the ASM provides a fellowship in mammalogy for any graduate student member of the ASM enrolled in a college or university for the forthcoming academic year (Fall 2008–Spring 2009). The stipend for 2008–2009 will be $19,000 and will include a set of all available ASM Special Publications. The ASM Fellow will be invited to present the results of his/her research at the Plenary Session of the 2009 Annual Meeting of the ASM.
ALBERT R. AND ALMA SHADLE FELLOWSHIP IN MAMMALOGY
The Albert R. and Alma Shadle Endowment Fund provides a fellowship in mammalogy for a graduate student member of the ASM enrolled in a college or university in the United States for the forthcoming academic year (Fall 2008–Spring 2009). The stipend for 2008–2009 is expected to be approximately $4,000 and also will include a set of all available ASM Special Publications. The Shadle Fellow nominee will be invited to present the results of his/her research at the Plenary Session of the 2009 Annual Meeting of the ASM.
Applications for either fellowship should be submitted electronically through the ASM web site ( http://www.mammalsociety.org/applications/). All electronic applications must consist of 9 items: an application form; an abstract; description of research project; brief statement of how support would be used; summary of professional experience in mammalogy, research interest, and career goals; a curriculum vita; and 3 letters of recommendation, including 1 from the applicant's research advisor. Applicants may apply for either or both fellowships with a single application as indicated on the electronic application form. See the ASM web site for additional information. Applications including letters of recommendation must be received by 1 May 2008. Contact C. William Kilpatrick (C-William.Kilpatrick@uvm.edu) if there are exceptional reasons why an application cannot be submitted electronically. The nominees for both fellowships will be announced at the 2008 Annual Meeting.
LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT FIELD RESEARCH AWARDS
The Latin American Student Field Research Award is made annually to support field research projects by Latin Americans in Latin America. Eligible students must be citizens of Latin American countries (excluding Puerto Rico) and currently enrolled in a graduate program. Projects must be field-oriented investigations of natural history, conservation, ecology, systematics, wildlife biology, biogeography, or behavior. The selection committee, whose membership reflects these diverse fields and has field experience in Latin America, considers each of these areas of research equally important.
Application materials include a 2-page application and 2 letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your scientific background and current academic program, 1 of which must be from your graduate advisor. All application materials must be sent to the Committee Chair in files attached to email messages. Acceptable formats include pdf (preferred) and Word (doc and rtf files). Letters scanned in jpeg format are also acceptable. Although we encourage applications and letters in English, documents written in Spanish or Portuguese also are acceptable. Detailed instructions can be downloaded from the webpage of the American Society of Mammalogists—Latin American Committee ( http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/index.asp).
To be considered, all application materials must be sent electronically to Dr. Enrique P. Lessa, Chair, eplessa@unm.edu (Phone: +598 2 525-8618 ext [7] 143) by APRIL 15.
The recipients will be announced at the Annual Banquet of the American Society of Mammalogists, but awardees need not be present to receive the award.
ASM-AIBS GRADUATE STUDENT PUBLIC POLICY INTERNSHIP
The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) and the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) are pleased to announce the availability of an internship in the Washington, DC. AIBS Public Policy Office. The internship is open to ASM members who are currently enrolled in a graduate program and who are engaged in research that will contribute to our understanding and conservation of mammals. The internship is for 3 months during fall 2008, and carries a generous monthly stipend of $2000. Selection criteria include demonstrated interest in public policy process, strong communications skills, and excellent academic record.
The AIBS Public Policy Office focuses on science and science education public policy (e.g., federal R & D funding policy). Additional information about ASM and AIBS can be found on their respective websites ( www.mammalsociety.org, www.aibs.org).
The ASM-AIBS Public Policy Internship is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public policy at the national level. By working with the AIBS Public Policy Office, the intern will learn how scientific societies, non-governmental organizations (NGO's), executive branch agencies (e.g., NSF, USGS), and the legislative branch interact to craft science policy. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Attending science coalition meetings, congressional and agency briefings, hearings, press briefings and other relevant events;
Assisting with tracking and analysis of relevant issues;
Assisting with planning Capitol Hill briefings or press events; and
Preparing a written report on the internship experience.
Applications must include 5 items: 1) A letter of application describing applicant's interest in science policy issues and detailing how this fellowship would enhance his/her professional goals. The letter should include the names of 2 individuals other than the applicant's advisor from whom recommendations can be requested. These individuals should be able to address the candidate's leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills. 2) A 2-page resume that demonstrates the applicant's leadership and communication experience. It should include the following items: education (including relevant law or policy courses), work experience, honors and awards, memberships, presentations, and publications. 3) A statement describing the importance of federal support for fundamental mammalian research (500 words maximum). The statement should draw on the applicant's own experience and/or research area, and should illustrate how the applicant would try to convince his/her own congressional delegation to support federal research funding programs/agencies. 4) A letter of support/recommendation from his/her academic advisor. 5) Copies of transcripts from each college or university from which applicant received a degree and/or is currently enrolled. If selected, official transcripts may be required.
Applicants are not required to be ASM members at the time of application but, if selected, must join the Society prior to starting the internship.
All application materials must be received by 1 May 2008 and should be sent to Dr. Alicia V. Linzey, Evaluation Committee Chair, 148 Double Brook Dr., Weaverville, NC 28787. Questions about the award can be addressed to Dr. Linzey at avlinzey@verizon.net.
